Airports – Changi, Castellon, Templehof and more

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This week our topic is: drumroll please … airports. Good airports, bad airports, fun airports, airports that are a complete drag, airports that are remarkably small for the area they serve, the airport you never want to descend into again … ever and ghost airports, those big projects that politicians sometimes push with the promise of jobs – and that then just sit there idle. Download MP3 (28:10)

A snow note

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A blizzard hit the East Coast stranding thousands of travelers ad shutting down major airports. But this time even Russian airports are being slowed by snow. Anchor Katy Clark has details. Download MP3

Video: December 2010 Blizzard Timelapse

Snow still halts travel at Heathrow

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Thousands of passengers remain stranded at London’s Heathrow airport since a snowstorm hit the area last Saturday. Other European airports, however, have managed to keep planes moving despite the snow. That’s prompted the question – why can’t Heathrow? Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Tom Hall, a travel editor with the Lonely Planet. Download MP3

A Pilot’s view of airport security

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Airline crews often feel safer flying into foreign airports, according to pilot Patrick Smith. He offers his take on the differences in airports worldwide to host Lisa Mullins. Download MP3

• Ask the Pilot

‘I boarded a plane with an aerosol can’

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After the foiled attempt on Christmas Day to bring down transatlantic flight 253 bound for Detroit, there have been many calls for better safety measures. More careful screening of passengers and their belongings passing through airports was immediately implemented. But as this BBC report from Colette Hume shows, security is still not exactly where it should be. Download MP3

• Read Colette Hume’s online report and watch a short video
• BBC Magazine: Would you trust the human eye to spot a bomb?
• Best of the BBC on The World

Airport security in The Netherlands

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Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab began his journey in Lagos, Nigeria. But he made the connection to the US in the Netherlands at the Dutch airport, Schipol, Amsterdam. An investigation is underway there to figure out how he got through. Hans de Vreij is security editor for Radio Netherlands. Anchor Katy Clark speaks with Hans de Vreij about airport security. Download MP3

• Radio Netherlands
• BBC profile of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab

Rebranding

Flying can be the quickest way to travel. Until you discover the airport you’re arriving in is actually nowhere near your final destination. For today’s Geo Quiz we’re looking at airports near London.